Welcome to FreshNote, your academic journey companion. Today we're bringing a fresh info for A-level candidates, and this time we are covering something that every serious IJMB candidate needs before walking into that examination hall. Whether you are preparing for the upcoming IJMB examinations or consolidating your study materials for the final stretch, we have pulled together everything you need on IJMB Physics — past questions for Paper 1 and Paper 2, well-solved answers covering over six years of past papers, and a guide to the recommended textbooks. Read carefully, because what you find here could be the difference between a good result and a great one. Download free physics past questions and answers pdf here
What Is IJMB and Why Physics Preparation Matters
The Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) is an advanced-level programme administered in Nigeria that allows candidates to gain Direct Entry admission into 200-level programmes in Nigerian and foreign universities. Established under the auspices of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, the IJMB examination tests candidates at a level equivalent to the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level. It is a rigorous programme, and Physics is among the most technical subjects in the sciences combination.
Physics in the IJMB programme is not structured the way WAEC or NECO Physics is. It operates at a higher academic register. The questions test conceptual understanding, mathematical application, and the ability to analyse physical phenomena across different domains — from mechanics and waves to electromagnetism and modern physics. This is precisely why relying only on class notes is insufficient. Past questions reveal the pattern of how the examiners think, the weight given to each topic, and the depth of explanation required in theory questions.
Over six years of IJMB Physics past questions cover a substantial body of examination patterns. Studying them gives you a reliable map of what to expect. See how to download 2024 physics past questions and answers here
The Structure of IJMB Physics: Understanding Paper 1 and Paper 2
Before downloading and studying any material, it is important to understand what each paper demands.
IJMB Physics Paper 1
Paper 1 is the objective (multiple-choice) component of the IJMB Physics examination. It typically consists of 50 questions drawn from across the entire Physics syllabus. Each question presents four or five options, and candidates are expected to select the most accurate answer within a set time. The questions in Paper 1 span a wide range of topics and are designed to assess breadth of knowledge rather than extended reasoning.
Topics that consistently appear in Paper 1 include scalar and vector quantities, Newton's laws of motion, projectile motion, work-energy-power, gravitational fields, static electricity, current electricity, magnetic fields, wave properties, optics, and atomic structure. Speed and accuracy are critical in this paper.
IJMB Physics Paper 2
Paper 2 is the theory component, and it is where most candidates lose significant marks. This paper requires written, structured answers to questions that test your understanding at a deeper level. Candidates are typically asked to define terms, derive equations, solve numerical problems with clearly shown workings, draw and interpret graphs, and explain physical principles.
The marking scheme for Paper 2 rewards methodical working. You do not get full marks simply for writing the correct final answer — the steps, units, and logical progression of your solution all count. This is why having access to well-solved past questions is invaluable. Seeing how an answer should be structured teaches you far more than memorising formulas alone.
Why You Should to study IJMB 2023 past questions.
Some candidates treat past questions as supplementary material — something to glance through a week before the examination. That approach consistently produces mediocre results. Past questions serve multiple functions that go beyond familiarity with question formats.
First, they reveal recurring themes. Certain topics in IJMB Physics appear year after year with only minor variations. Thermodynamics, simple harmonic motion, electric circuits, and optics are examples of topics that have appeared repeatedly across multiple examination sessions. A candidate who has worked through six or more years of past papers will recognise these patterns instantly. Here's where to get
Second, they expose your weak areas before the examination does. When you sit with a past paper under timed conditions, the topics where you struggle become immediately obvious. That is useful diagnostic information that allows you to redirect your preparation.
Third, studying solved answers helps with technique. The IJMB Physics Paper 2 in particular rewards a specific approach to answering numerical and theoretical questions. Reviewing well-solved answers teaches you how to present workings, manage units, and connect your answer back to the question being asked.
IJMB Physics Past Questions Available on FreshNote: Coverage by Year
FreshNote has compiled IJMB Physics past questions covering over six years of examinations. The collection includes both Paper 1 and Paper 2 across these years, with solutions that are clearly worked out and explained.
The years covered in the FreshNote collection span from 2017 through 2023, giving candidates access to a broad and representative sample of examination questions. The 2023 past questions are particularly valuable because they reflect the most recent examination trends and any adjustments in question style or topic emphasis that the IJMB board may have introduced.
Each past question document is accompanied by answers. For Paper 1, the correct options are indicated with brief explanations where the concept behind the answer may not be immediately obvious. For Paper 2, solutions are fully worked out, showing every step, the relevant formula, substitution of values, and the final answer with appropriate units.
Topics Covered Across the Six-Year IJMB Physics Question Bank
The following subject areas appear consistently across the past questions available on FreshNote. Each one forms part of the IJMB Physics syllabus as approved by the board.
Mechanics — This covers kinematics (equations of motion, projectile motion), Newton's laws, momentum and impulse, work, energy and power, circular motion, and gravitation. Numerical problems in this area appear frequently in both papers.
Properties of Matter — Surface tension, viscosity, elasticity, and the behaviour of solids under stress are all examined. Candidates should understand Hooke's Law and its limitations, as well as the Young Modulus and its applications.
Thermal Physics — Questions cover temperature scales, heat capacity, latent heat, gas laws, and kinetic theory. The relationship between the ideal gas equation and molecular behaviour is a common theory question in Paper 2.
Waves and Sound — Wave properties including frequency, wavelength, amplitude, period, and wave speed are tested. Stationary waves, resonance, the Doppler effect, and sound characteristics appear regularly.
Light and Optics — Reflection, refraction, lens and mirror formulae, total internal reflection, dispersion, and the nature of electromagnetic waves are all part of this domain.
Electricity and Magnetism — Ohm's Law, resistivity, series and parallel circuits, Kirchhoff's laws, capacitors, electromagnetic induction, transformers, and AC circuits are heavily represented across all years.
Atomic and Nuclear Physics — Radioactivity, nuclear reactions, binding energy, and the photoelectric effect appear in the later sections of both papers. These topics tend to carry marks in Paper 2 theory questions.
Recommended IJMB Physics Textbooks Available on FreshNote
Past questions are most effective when paired with solid textbooks. The IJMB programme recommends specific texts, and FreshNote has made these available for download alongside the past questions.
New School Physics by M.W. Anyakoha remains one of the most widely referenced textbooks for advanced-level Physics in Nigeria. Its coverage is thorough, its diagrams are clear, and its worked examples map closely to the style of questions that appear in IJMB examinations. The treatment of electricity, waves, and modern physics is particularly well-suited to IJMB preparation.
Comprehensive Certificate Physics by J.B. Ifeagwu and others offers detailed explanations of concepts across the full syllabus. Its strength lies in the way it builds from first principles, making it suitable for candidates who need to establish a firm conceptual foundation before tackling numerical problems.
Understanding Physics for Advanced Level by Jim Breithaupt is a UK-based text that covers the Advanced Level Physics curriculum, which overlaps significantly with the IJMB syllabus. Its treatment of topics such as simple harmonic motion, wave optics, and nuclear physics is thorough and readable. Candidates preparing for Paper 2 theory questions will find this text particularly useful.
For candidates who prefer a more problem-focused resource, Schaum's Outline of College Physics provides hundreds of solved problems across all major topics. Working through Schaum's in conjunction with IJMB past questions is a reliable way to build numerical problem-solving confidence.
How to Use IJMB Physics Past Questions Effectively
Downloading past questions is the easy part. The real value comes from how you use them. Here is an approach that works consistently for IJMB Physics candidates.
Start by reading through a past paper without attempting to answer the questions. This gives you a sense of the overall structure, the distribution of topics, and the level of depth expected. Pay attention to instruction words in Paper 2 — words like "derive," "explain," "calculate," and "sketch" each require a different type of response.
Then attempt the paper under timed, examination-like conditions. Set a timer, work without your notes, and give yourself the same time you would have in the actual examination. This is not comfortable, but it is accurate. The discomfort of realising you cannot answer certain questions in practice is far less costly than experiencing that in the actual examination.
After completing your attempt, review each question against the provided solutions. Do not simply note which answers you got right or wrong — study the worked solutions for every question, including those you answered correctly. You may have arrived at a correct answer through incorrect reasoning, and that gap will surface in a different form later.
Keep a notebook of recurring formulas, common mistakes, and topics that gave you difficulty. Review that notebook regularly. By the time you have worked through three to four years of past papers in this way, the examination format will feel familiar, your speed will have improved, and your understanding of the core topics will have consolidated considerably.
How to Download IJMB Physics Past Questions From FreshNote
Accessing the materials on FreshNote is straightforward. The past questions and textbook resources are available in PDF format, which means they are accessible on any device — smartphone, tablet, or computer. PDF format also allows you to annotate, highlight, and make notes directly on the document if you are using a suitable reader application.
To download the IJMB Physics past questions — covering Paper 1 and Paper 2 with fully solved answers — visit the FreshNote website and navigate to the IJMB section. The materials are organized by subject and year, making it easy to locate specific papers. The 2023 past questions are listed separately and clearly labelled.
The textbook resources are listed under the IJMB Textbooks category. Each title is available in a clearly formatted PDF version that mirrors the original layout, including diagrams and worked examples.
If you encounter any difficulty accessing a specific file, the FreshNote support contact is available on the website, and most queries are resolved within a short time.
A Note on Examination Integrity
It is important to address something that occasionally surfaces in the online space around IJMB preparation: the difference between legitimate past questions and examination malpractice schemes. FreshNote provides past questions — that is, questions from previous examination sessions that have already been sat and officially administered. Studying these is not only legal but is the standard method of academic preparation used at every level of education globally.
The IJMB itself recognises the value of past questions in candidate preparation. The official IJMB website at ijmb.com.ng has previously made past questions available to registered candidates upon request, precisely because they understand the preparatory value of these materials.
What FreshNote offers is a consolidated, well-organised, and annotated version of these materials, along with worked solutions that help candidates understand not just what the right answers are but why they are correct. This is legitimate academic preparation, and it is entirely consistent with the spirit and requirements of the IJMB programme.
Final Thoughts Before You Begin Studying
The IJMB Physics examination rewards preparation that is both broad and deep. Broad in the sense that you need to be familiar with the full syllabus — the examiners draw questions from across all topic areas. Deep in the sense that Paper 2 in particular will not reward surface-level knowledge; it demands that you can reason through a problem, apply the appropriate principles, and communicate your solution clearly.
Six years of past questions, paired with the right textbooks, gives you an excellent foundation. FreshNote has made the process of accessing these materials straightforward. What you do with them from here is the part that determines your result.
Start with the most recent papers and work backwards. Take your time with the solved answers. Use the textbooks to revisit any topic that consistently gives you difficulty. And approach each practice session with the same seriousness you would bring to the actual examination.
Your preparation is the only variable you control. Make it count.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between IJMB Physics Paper 1 and Paper 2?
Paper 1 is the multiple-choice component, consisting of objective questions that test breadth of knowledge across the syllabus. Paper 2 is the theory paper, requiring written answers including definitions, derivations, numerical solutions, and explanations. Both papers carry marks and must be prepared for separately.
How many years of IJMB Physics past questions are available on FreshNote?
FreshNote currently offers IJMB Physics past questions covering over six years, from 2017 through 2023. Each year includes both Paper 1 and Paper 2, with fully solved answers.
Are the past questions on FreshNote the same as the official IJMB past questions?
Yes. The questions are drawn from past IJMB examination sessions. FreshNote presents them in a structured, annotated format with worked solutions to aid understanding and preparation.
Which textbooks are recommended for IJMB Physics?
The primary recommended texts are New School Physics by M.W. Anyakoha, Comprehensive Certificate Physics, and Understanding Physics for Advanced Level by Jim Breithaupt. FreshNote has PDF versions of these available for download in the IJMB Textbooks section.
Can I download the IJMB Physics past questions on my phone?
Yes. All materials on FreshNote are available in PDF format, which is compatible with smartphones, tablets, and computers. Any standard PDF reader application can open and display the files correctly.
How should I use IJMB past questions in my preparation?
Attempt past papers under timed conditions without your notes, then review the worked solutions carefully for every question, not just the ones you got wrong. Keep a log of recurring topics, formulas, and areas of difficulty. Working through multiple years of past papers in this way will give you a clear picture of the examination's demands and build your confidence and speed significantly.
Is studying past questions enough to pass IJMB Physics?
Past questions are a critical component of preparation, but they work best alongside thorough engagement with your textbooks and class notes. The IJMB Physics syllabus is broad, and questions are drawn from across all topic areas. Use past questions to test and refine your understanding, not as a substitute for learning the material itself.
FreshNote is committed to providing accurate, structured, and accessible academic resources for Nigerian students at every stage of their educational journey. All materials available on this platform are intended for legitimate educational preparation.